Two weeks ago, the latest expansion for VTES named “Anarch Unbound” has been published by the VEKN. The expansion consist of 24 crypt and 18 library cards. I’d like to make a quick review for the library cards. although maybe review of the new cards is a not entirely the correct headline for this post, maybe “first impressions” would be more suitable. I haven’t been part of any design team or playtesting group working on this expansion, so (more or less) this is the first time I can read the new cards in detail and form an opinion on each of these.

Some general comments on “Anarch Unbound” in advance:

I am not quite sure if I like that this expansion is “Anarch-only”. Let me briefly explain why. I have played the Anarchs quite extensively (e.g. bleed or combat decks), but an all-out Anarch expansion means, that then we have no new library cards for non-Anarch decks for about two years (assuming the next expansion will be released in the next 12 months).

I like the combinations of three-way discipline library cards have more coherent disciplines combinations, in the past a lot of tha/ser, nec/ani or any similar combinations of disciplines which you don’t find often in a larger number of vampires, especially not very often in small or mid-cap vampires.

Also more vampires with an inherent Anarch trait are a good thing. in my opinion. One of the issues with Anarch decks was they were often initially slowed down by the need to make its vampires Independent and Anarch, before becoming effective. This has been seriously improved with the advent of Anarch Convert, but still was a disadvantage when compared to other sects/traits/titles like the Camarilla or the Black Hand. Another significant step is the introduction of an action modifier (“The Red Question”) which can be used to make a vampire an Anarch.

Even though I don’t discuss any crypt cards in this post, I would like to mention, that I also like the fact, that the merged version of a given vampire (basic plus advanced) usually have a significant boost, e.g. being a small/mid-cap Baron. I am not sure if we’ll see merging of vampires more than in the past, but the designer’s intent has become quite apparent by these new crypt & library cards.

First Strike was always somewhat iffy in terms of handling its effect in a VTES game. I think most of it comes from the naming “First Strike” implicating that it is resolved/handled first in any combat (which is not true; see below). Maybe a better naming would have been “Fast Strike” (or something along that line).

From the VTES rulebook section 6.4.5. “Strike Effects”:

First Strike. A strike done with first strike is resolved before a normal strike. Thus, if the opposing minion is burned or sent to torpor by a strike done with first strike, his strike will not be resolved at all. If the opposing minion was striking with a weapon that is stolen or destroyed with first strike, then the opposing minion simply loses his strike altogether. If both minions strike with first strike, then the strikes are resolved simultaneously. A strike done with first strike will still not resolve before a combat ends effect (which always resolves first), and a dodge still cancels the effects of a strike done with first strike (see below).

And here’s a summary of various scenarios that are relevant for handling First Strikes in a combat:

.. vs. Dodge — according to the rules (under section 6.4.5 — Dodge) a Dodge is handled before First Strike, that is the First Strike effects are evaded by the vampire using the Dodge.

.. vs. Strike: Combat Ends — also according to the rules (under section 6.4.5 — Strike: Combat Ends) S:CE is handled before First Strike, that is the combat ends before the First Strike is resolved.

.. vs. another First Strike — in this case, both First Strikes are handled at the same time, similar to the case when both strikes are “normal” strikes (exception are the environmental damage effects (if any; see below).

.. vs. environmental damage — the environmental damage is always handled during normal strike resolution (regardless of who actually played the First Strike). For example, if one of the combatants goes to torpor (or is burned) by damage effects of the First Strike, the effects of the environmental damage are not resolved.

.. vs. Rötschreck — Rötschreck is played when strikes are chosen, that is before the strikes resolve. Therefore the effect of Rötschreck kicks in before the sequencing of First Strike and the “normal” strike takes players.

.. vs. Nightstick/Forearm Block — the prevention effect of Nightstick/Forearm Block is not there yet, when the First Strike is resolved. Therefore the First Strike’s damage cannot be prevented by using these cards.

“Ni dieu ni maître!” literally means “No gods, no masters“, and is an Anarchist slogan originating from the late 19th century. The term was originally coined by the French anarchist Louis Auguste Blanqui (1801-1881). He was the founder and editor of a journal with the name “Ni dieu ni maître!” (1880-1886). Also Friedrich Nietzsche used the term in his groundbreaking work “Beyond Good and Evil” (1886). Since the late 19th century the term (or its translated equivalent) is used by Anarchists around the world, but has also been adopted by other political movements and even became part of the pop culture, e.g. Punk bands adopted the slogan, as well as Metal bands later on.

On January 17th, 2016 the VTES expansion “Anarchs Unbound” has been published. This is an all new PDF expansion expanding the possibilities for Anarch-based decks. The expansions consists of 24 crypt and 18 library cards.

On January 17th, 2016 the VEKN has expanded the list of banned cards for tournament play by three. Now Anthelios, the Red Star, Temptation of Greater Power and Seeds of Corruption are banned. This caused a considerable controversy on VEKN.net and Facebook, arguing whether these bans are justified or not.

The details on the Italian National VTES Championship 2016 have been announced today. The championship event will take place from February 6th to 7th, 2016 in Collegno (near Torino), Italy. The tournament is a two day event, with a regular VTES Constructed tournament taking place on Saturday and the championship tournament on Sunday.

In the World of Darkness, the Spell of Life is powerful ritual which provides immortality. The ritual was initially developed by Isis, an Egyptian nature goddess, and Osiris sister and wife. The ritual to become immortal follows the cycle of nature in the sense, that all Immortals must die before they become Undying, and not until they have died can they become Undying. While the Spell of Life was able to sustain a body for millennia, it was flawed in that the recipient became a half-dead creature, resembling a walking corpse.

Only after Osiris awoke, he was able to create a new Spell of Life which did not contain the flaws of the previous one. This new version of the ritual was finally able to fill the recipients with life force and vitality, thus creating the Amenti. Those who denied this new version of the Spell were declared Shuankhsen, and are hunted by the Hand of Thoth. The Bane Mummies are the original and primary of the Hand of Thoth, as decreed by Horus, even though other enemies of Horus are persecuted with zeal by the Hand as well.